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M'S ACTING EDITION il 
E BRACELET 



(ALFRED SUTRO) 

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BETWEEN THE SOUP 
AND THE SAVOURY 



By 



GERTRUDE JENNINGS. 



Originally produced at the Playhouse, London, under 
th© management of Mr. Cyril Maude and the direction of 
the Author, on October 19, 1910. 

The Cook (Maria) . . Miss Margaret Murray. 

The Parloubmaid (Ada) . Miss Maude Buchanarx. 
Thb KiTCHENMAiD (Emily) • Miss Ethel Ross. 

Scene. — The Kitchen, 

Time. — Evening y during the serving of dinner. 



One Act, 
Price 6d. 

30 minutes 
in represen- 
tation. 



One Scene. 



Fee, 
One Guinea. 



THE BRACELET 

A PLAY IN ONE ACT 



By 
ALFRED SUTRO 



Copyright, 1912, by Samuel French, Limited 



Niiw York I London 

SAJViUEL FRENCH SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd 

Publisher 26 Southampton Street 

I 28-30, WEST 381H SI REEL STRAND 



C. 



SpyA 



<.ev.^ 



CHARACTERS 

Harvey Western. \ 

His Honour Judge Banket. 

Martin. 

William. 

Mrs. Western. 

Mrs. Banket. 

Miss Farren. 

Smit'hers. 

Time — the present. 



©CIO 2'y.n4 ^ 



THE BRACELET 

The dining-room in an upper middle-class house near 
the Park. It is furnished in the conventional 
modern style, soberly and n^ithout imagination. The 
room is on the ground floor, facing the street ; the 
door is R.c, leading into the hall. To the left of this 
door is a sideboard, glittering u>ilh silver. Three 
tall windows, at the back, heavily curtained ; between 
them hang two or three family portraits. The table, 
on u'hich there is the usual debris of a meal that is 
over — coffee-cups, liqueur-glasses, etc. — has been 
laid for four persons, and their four chairs are still 
around it. The fireplace, with its rather crude and 
ambitious mantelpiece, is in tli^centre of the left wall ; 
and uncomfortable-looking heavy armchairs are on 
each side of it. On the mantelpiece are a marble 
clock and a few bits of china. In the angle formed 
at the left is a small Queen Anne writing-table, open. 
To the right of the room is a large sofa. The floor is 
heavily carpeted, and there are many rugs scattered 
about. 

When the curtain rises, the room is in darkness. Wil- 
liam, the footman, enters hurriedly and switches on 
the electric light. He rushes to the table, looks eagerly 
around, shifting cups and glasses, napkins, etc., 
then goes on his hands and knees and searches on 
the carpet. After a moment, Smithers, the lady's- 
maid, follows him. 

Smithers {eagerly). Can't you find it ? 
\\iLi.iAU [sulkily). No. Not yet. Give me time. 
Smithers [feeling along the table-cloth). Under one 
of those rugs, perhaps. 



4 THE BRACELET. 

William. Well, I'm looking. (Motor-horn sounds 
sharply, off.) All right, all right ! 

Smithers [with a jerk of the head). Missis is telling 
him to do it. 

William [on all fours, crawling about). Veiy like 
her voice, too, when she's angry. Drat the thing ! 
Where can it be ? (He peers into tlie coal-scuttle.) 

Smithers. No good looking in there, stupid. 

William. They always say it's the unlikeliest 

places 

(Martin, the butler, comes in.) 

Martin. Come, come, haven't you found it ? 

William. No, Mr. Martin. It ain't here. 

Martin (bustling about). Must be, must be. She 
says 

William. I can't help what she says. It ain't. 

Martin (looking under the sofa). Just you hustle, 
young man, and don't give me any back-answers. 

[Having completed his examination of the sofa, he 
moves to the sideboard, and fusses round that.) 

Smithers (methodically shaking out each napkin). 
I tell you she's cross ! 

Martin (hard at work, searching). Doesn't mind 
disturbing us, in the midst of our supper ! 

William (who, all the time, has beeyi on all fours, 
searching). We're dirt, that's what we are— dirt. 

Martin (reprovingly). William, I've told you be- 
fore- 

William. Very sorry, Mr. Martin, but this is the 
first time I've accepted an engagement at a stock- 
broker's. (He has been crawling round the curtains 
at the back, shaking them ; pulling hard at one of them, 
he dislodges the lower part.) Lor ! Now I've done it ! 

Smithers. Clumsy ! 

Martin (severely). That comes of too much talk. 
Never mind the curtain— go on looking. 

(William drops on to his hands and knees again; 



THE BRACELET. 5. 

Harvey Western comes into the room, peyktfbed 
and restless. He is a well-preserved man of fifty.) 

Harvey. I say — not found it ? 

Martin. Not yet, sir. 

Harvey. Nuisance. Musi be here, you know. 

Martin. Is it a very valuable one, sir ? 

Harvey {^who has gone to the table, and is turning 
things over). No, no, not particularly — but that's 
not the point. [He looks under the table.) 

Martin (still seeking). When did Madam find tliat 
she'd lost it, sir ? 

Harvey. Oh, about five minutes after we'd 
started. And we've turned over everything in the 
car. It's certainly not there. [He fusses around 
the table.) 

Martin. Is Madam quite sure ^.he was wearing it, 
sir ? 

Smithers (fretfully). Yes, yes, of course she was 
wearing it. I put it on her myself. 

Martin. Where did Madam put her cloak on 
sir ? 

Smithers. In here. I brought it in. 

Martin. You didn't notice whether — — 

Smithers. No. Don't you think if we moved a// 
the rugs 

(She moves across the room and joins William, who 
is still grovelling on the floor, and goes on her knees 
by Ms side.) 

Harvey. It must be here somewhere. 

(They are all searching furiously — William by the 
windows, peering into the spaces between the wall 
and the carpets, Martin at the sideboard, Smithers 
gathering the rugs together, all 07i their hands and 
knees, while Harvey, bent double, is looking under 
the table. Mrs. Western comes in stonily, fol- 
lowed by the Judge and Mrs. Banket. Mrs. 
Western is a handsome woman of forty- five, ivith a 



6 THE BRACELET. 

rather stern, cold face ; the Judge a somewhat 
corpulent, genial man of fifty -five ; and his wife, an 
amiable nullity, seven or eight years younger. They 
are all in evening-dress, the ladies in opera-cloaks.) 
Mrs. Western (pausing on the threshold). Well? 
Harvey (rising and dusting himself). ' No trace of it. 
Mrs. Western (looking around). A nice mess 
you've made of the room ! 

Martin. You told us to look, Madam. 
Judge (going to the fire and standing with his hack 
to it). I'm afraid we'll be shockingly late, Alice. 

Mrs. Western (firmly). I don't go without my 
bracelet. 

(She goes to the table, and- proceeds to shift the cups and 
glasses.) 

Mrs. Banket (moving to the other side of the table, 
and doing the sam.e) . Quite right, dear — I wouldn't. 
(They all search, except the Judge, who shrugs his 
shoulders placidly, then takes a cigarette from his 
case, and lights it. The three servants still are 
grovelling on the fl.oor.) 

Mrs. Western. I knoipj I had it while I was drink- 
ing my coffee 

Judge. My experience is, one should never look 
for things. They find themselves. 
Mrs. Western (shortly). Nonsense. 
Judge. A fact. Or at least one should pretend 
to be looking for something else. My glasses, now. 
When I lose them, I declare loudly I can't find my 
cigar-case. That disheartens the glasses — they re- 
turn at once. 

Mrs. Banket {reproachfully). Don't be so irrita- 
ting, Tom ! 

Judge. That's all very well — but how about me ? 
I was asked here to dine. I've dined — I'm not coin- 
plaining about the dinner. But now the curtain's 
up — and here am I watching half-a-dozen people look- 
ing very hard for a thing that isn't there. 



THE BRACELET. 7 

Mrs. Banket. Tom, Tom, it's those laughs you 
get in Court that make you so fond of talking. Don't 
you see how you're vexing your sister ? 

Mrs. Western. Oh, I'm used to Tom. Harvey, I 
think you might be looking. 

Harvey. My dear, T've been turning round and 
round in this corner, like a bird in a cage. 

Martin (who, all this time, like the other servants, 
has been crawling around the different articles of furni- 
ture in the room, suddenly rises to his feet and addresses 
his mistress firmly but respectfully). It's not here, 
madam. 

(The other servants also rise ; and stand, each in 
their corner. 

Judge. That, I imagine, is perfectly clear ; and I 
congratulate the witness on the manner in which he 
has given his evidence. (He throii's his cigarette into 
the fire and steps forward.) Now, my dear Alice 

Mrs. Western (sitting doggedly in the chair in 
front of the table and proceeding to pull off her gloves). 
I don't go without my bracelet. 

Judge. Heaven forbid that I should speak slight- 
ingly of a gift of Harvey's — but really it isn't of such 
priceless value. 

Mrs. Western. That has nothing to do with it. 

Mrs. Banket. Of course not. Oh, these men ! 

Harvey (stepping forward). Tom's right. Let's 
go. Look here, I'll get you another. 

Mrs. Western (drily). Thanks — I want thai one. 
— Smithers, and you, William, just look again in the 
hall. 

Smithers. Yes, m'm. 

Mrs. Western. And then help the chauffeur — 
turn out everything in the car. 

Smithers. Yes, m'm. 

Mrs. Western. Bring the rugs into the house, 
and shake them. 

Smithers. Yes, m'm. (She and Williau go) 



8 THE BRACELET. 

Judge {going back to the fire). vSurnptuaiy Jaws — 
that's what we want. If women didn't wear brace- 
lets, they couldn't lose them. 

Mrs. Western. Martin, William is honest, isn't 
he? 

Harvey (protesting). Oh, hang it, Ahce ! 

Martin. Quite, madam — excellent character — a 
httle flighty, but a most respectable young man. 

Mrs. Western. I've seen him reading a sporting 
paper. 

Judge. A weakness, my dear Ahce, common to the 
best of us. I do it myself sometimes, but I'm wilhng 
to be searched. 

Mrs. Banket. O Tom, do be quiet ! 

Mrs. Western (to the Judge). You're very un- 
sympathetic. (Turning to Martin again.) None of 
the other servants came in after we left ? 

Martin. No, madam.. 

Mrs. Western. You're sure ? 

Martin. Quite sure, madam. They were all 
downstairs, having their supper. 

Mrs. Western. Most mysterious ! Incompre- 
hensible ! 

Judge (looking at his watch). Past nine ! We shall 
plunge into the play — hke body-snatchers, looking 
for the corpse of the plot — and we shall never know 
what it was that the heroine did. 

Mrs. Western (ignoring him, to Martin). Smithers 
I'll answer for. 

Martin. Oh yes, madam. If I w/g'//i make a sug- 
gestion 

Mrs. Western. Well ? 

Martin. It couldn't have fallen anywher e into 
your dress, madam. 

Mrs. W^estern. Nonsense, how could it ? ( She 
gets up and shakes herself.) Absurd. (She sits again.) 

Martin. Into your cloak ? 

Mrs. Western. Silk ! No. That'll do, Martin. 
You might help the others, outside. (Martin goes.) 



THE BRACELET. 9 

Judge (iojUIi a step forward). Now, admirable 
sister 

Mrs. Western. Didn't it strike you that Martin's 
manner was rather strange ? 

Harvey (fretfully). Really you must not suspect 
the servants ! 

Mrs. Western (turning to him) . Must not — must ! 
That's scarcely the way to speak to me, Harvey. 

Harvey (deprecatingly). My dear 

Mrs. Western. And I wasn't suspecting — I was 
merely asking a question of my brother. 

Judge. Come, Alice's, let's go. 

Mrs. Western (shaking her head). You three go. 
You'll excuse me. 

Judge (cheerfully). If you insist 

Mrs,. Bk^k^t (coming forward). No, no. Z)acome, 
Alice ! 

Mrs. Western. I can't — I'm so puzzled. (Willi 
a sudden idea.) Oh ! 

Harvey (xvho is behind her, to the left, between 
her and the Judge). What ? Have you found 
it? 

Mrs. Western. No, no — of course not. But ring, 
please, will you ? 

Harvey. Why ? 

Mrs. Western. I want you to ring. (He presses 
the bell by the fireplace). I just remember Miss 
Farren came in while we were having coffee. 

Harvey (indignantly). Ahce ! 

Mrs. Western. I asked her to write a card to 
Harrod's— she'll have written it in here. 

Harvey (angrily). I say — really ! 

Mrs. Western (coldly). No need to snub me 
again — before our guests ! I need scarcely say I am 
not suspecting Miss Farren — but in justice to 
her 

Mrs. Banket. But, AUce, she'll have gone out — 
you told her she might 

Mrs. Western. Only to her sister's close by — 



10 THE BRACELET. 

and she rnay not have gone yet. Why don't they 
answer the bell ? Ring again, Harvey. 
Judge. The poor things are still searching. 

Harvey (firmly). Alice, I protest, I do indeed 

Mrs. Western. Don't be so foolishly sentimental 
— it's ridiculous at your age. The young woman is in 
my employ, as governess to my children. (Martin 
comes in.) Has Miss Farren gone out yet ? 

Martin. No, madam. I believe she's in her room, 
dressing. 

Mrs. Western. Ask her to come. 
Martin. Yes, madam. (He goes.) 
Judge (shaking his head). No sense of proportion, 
that's the truth — they've no sense of proportion. 
Mrs. Banket. Tom ! 

Judge. A fact, my dear — but you can't help it. 
You've every quality in the worldbut just that — ^you 
will always look through the wrong end of the tele- 
scope. 

Mrs. Banket. Really, Tom, this isn't the moment 
for your nonsense — and if you only knew how stupid 
you are when you try to be funny ! 

Harvey (going nervously to Mrs. Western). I 

say, I really do think 

Mrs. Western [roughly). I don't care what you 
think. Leave me alone ! 

{There is silence. The Judge, sitting by the fire, 
ivhi sties [loudly " Waltz {me around again, Willie ! " 
Harvey has gone moodily across the room and stands 
by the sideboard. Mrs. Banket is sitting behind 
the table. After a moment the door opens, and 
Miss Farren comes in, with hat and cloak on, and 
goes straight to Mrs. Western. She is an extremely 
pretty girl of twejity.) 

Miss Farren. You want me, Mrs. Western ? 
Mrs. Western. Oh, Miss Farren, I've lost my 
bracelet. 

Miss Farren. Really ! Fm so sorry ! Where ? 



THE BRACELET. 11 

Mps. V/estern. I don't know. You didn't see it, 
of course, after we'd gone ? 

Miss Farren (shaking her head) . No — and no one 
came in. I was writing the letter to Harrod's. 

Mrs. Western. No one at all ? 

Miss Farren. No — I'm sure of that. And I'd 
hardly got to my room when I heard the car come 
back. 

Mrs. Western. Well, thank you. Miss Farren. 

Miss Farren. It's ver}/ annoying. You're sure 
it's not in the car ? 

Judge. My dear Miss Farren, it's not in the car, 
it's not anywhere, and I'm beginning to believe it 
never was at all. Come, Alice, let's go. We shan't 
see much of the play, but we can at least help the 
British drama by buying two programmes. 

Miss. Farren (with a light laugh — then turning 
to Mrs. Western again). Do you want rne any 
more, Mrs. Western ? 

Mrs. Western. No^ thanks. (Miss Farren 
ttcrns to go — Mrs. Western, who has suddenly cast an 
eager glance at her, as though attracted by something, 
calls her back.) Oh, Miss Farren ! 

Miss Farren (turning). Yes ? 

Mrs. Western. I wonder whether you'd be so 
good as to shift this aigrette of mine — it's hurting me. 

Miss Farren. Certainly, 

(She comes back to Mrs. Western, and stands by 
her side ; as she raises her arm Mrs. Western 
jumps up and seizes it by the wrist.) 

Mrs. Western. My bracelet ! 

(Keeping a tight hold of Miss Farren 's wrist, she 
holds it at arm's length. There is a general cry of 
amazement — the Judge and his wife start to their 
feet — Harvey rushes eagerly towards her.) 

Judge. Alice ! 
Mrs. Banket. Oh ! 



12 THE BRACELET. 

Harvey. No, no 

{These three exelamafions are simultaneous.) 

Mrs. Western. There it is ! Siie took it ! 

Judge. Are you sure ? 

Harvey {breathless and urgent). Alice 

Miss Farren (recovering from, her shock and be- 
wilderment). Mrs. Western, it isn't 

Mrs. Vv'ESTERn (sternly, still holding the girl by the 
wrist).. You dare to pretend 

Harvey (zt'he is now at the back of his wife's chair, 
looking closely at the bracelet). Let me look, let me 
look. ... I say, Alice, you're wrong. It's not 
yours at all. The setting's different. 

Mrs. Western (angrily). What do you mean, 
different ? You think I don't know my own brace- 
let ? Are you mad ? I say it's mine — and it is ! 

Judge (stepping forward). Alice, be careful 

Mrs. Western. Careful ! You're as bad as he ! 
Of course the thing's mine — I've been wearing it for 
weeks — and you think I can make a mistake ? 
She found it, and took it. 

Miss Farren (very distressed). No, no, Mrs. Western, 
really ! It isn't yours ! I assure you ! 

Harvey. Alice, I declare to you 

Mrs. Western (roughly). Be quiet, and go away. 
This is no business of yours. 

Harvey (eagerly). But it is ! It was I who bought 
the wretched thing — well, I am prepared to swear that 
this isn't the one ! 

Mrs. Western (a little shaken, looking at it again). 
You're prepared to. . . . (She lifts her head.) How 
can you talk such utter nonsense ? There's not the 
least doubt — not the least ! 

Judge (stopping Harvey, ivho is about to protest 
violently). Alice, mind what you're saying. You'll 
get yourself into trouble. If Harveys says 

Mrs. Banket (contemptuously). He's saying it to 
shield her, that's all. 



THE BRACELET. 13 

Harvey {indignantly). I'm not. It's not true. 
But 3^ou mustn't bring such an accusation. It's mon- 
strous. And I won't allow 

Mrs. Western [drawing herself up). You — won't 
— allow ! This girl takes my bracelet — and j^ou 
won't allow ! 

Miss Farren [trying to free herself). Mrs. Western, 
I haven't, I haven't ! 

Judge {impressively). Alice, will you listen to me ? 

Mrs. Western. No, I won't ! This doesn't con- 
cern you, or any one, but me and this girl ! Look at 
her — she knows ! 

Miss Farren. Mrs. Western, you're hurting my 
arm. ... 

Mrs. Western. Come now — confess ! I won't 
be hard on 5^ou if you confess 

[She ivrenches off the bracelet and releases the girl, who 
staggers back, nursing her wrist.) 

Harvey [almost beside himself, stamping his foot). 
Alice, Alice, will you hear 

Miss Farren. Oh, you have hurt me ! And 
you've no right — to sa}/ such things. . . . 

Harvey. No, you haven't, you haven't ! 

Mrs. Western. Besides, a bracelet hke that ! 
[She holds it up. To Miss Farren.) You won't 
confess ? Very well, then. I'll send for a policeman. 

YiARW^Y [doggedly) . The bracelet is hers. 

Mrs. Western [jeeringly). Turquoise and emer- 
alds ! Hers ! A coincidence, perhaps. Very likely. 
rU give her in charge at once. 

Harvey. The bracelet is hers, I tell you. 

Mrs. Western [turning furiously on him). You 
dare to say that ? 

Harvey [steadily). Yes. Because I myself — 
gave it her. 

[There is a moment's almost stupefied silence ; Harvey 
and Alice are face to face, Miss Farren to the 



14 THE BRACELET. 

left of her. Mrs. Banket is still at the back, the 
Judge by the fire. Mrs. \^'estern breaks the 
silence.) 

Mrs. Western (sternly). You — gave — it — her? 

Harvey (steadily). Yes. 

Mrs. Western. You ask me to believe that you 
gave a bracelet to — this person — my children's 
governess ? 

Harvey. I did. 

Mrs. Western. An exact copy of the one you 
gave me ? 

Harvey. I've told you— it's not an exact copy — 
there's a difference in the setting. 

Mrs. Banket. Nonsense, nonsense, it can't be — 
he's just saying this 

Judge. Fanny, don't interfere. 

Harvey. I'm saying what's true. 

Mrs. Western. I refuse to beheve it. It's in- 
credible. You've not sunk as low as that. It's a lie. 

Harvey (indionantly). Alice! 

Mrs. Western. Yes, a lie. A trumped-up story. 
The girl has taken it 

Miss Farren. I have not ! 

Mrs. Western. You can tell that to the magis- 
trate — (she turns to Harvey) — and you too, if you 
like. (She moves to the bell.) 

Judge (putting out a hand to step her). Alice 

Mrs. Western. Leave me alone, Tom. I know 
what I'm doing. I'll send for a policeman. 

Harvey (imploringly). Alice, Alice 

Mrs. Western (pausing, with her hand on the bell). 
V\\ let the girl off, if you'll tell m.e the truth. 

Harvey. I have told you the truth. 

Mrs. Western. You persist in this silly falsehood ? 

Harvey. It isn't — I tell you it isn 't ! 

Mrs. W^estern. Very well, then. 

(She presses the bell. At that moment the door bursts 
open, and Martin comes in triumphantly, imth the 



THE BRACELET. I5 

bracelet on a salver. Smithers and William are 
behind him, but do not pass beyond the threshold.) - 

Martin (eagerly). Ma'am, ma'am, we've found 
the 

(Mrs. Western has turned towards him, still holding 
the other bracelet in her hand ; Martin catches 
sight of it, and stops dead short, staring bcwil- 
deredl)> at it.) 

Mrs. Western [calmly). Where did you find it ? 

(She lakes the bracelet off the salver and lays it on 
the table.) 

Martin (with a great effort). It had fallen into the 
pocket of the car — there was a hole in the pocket — 
it had worked its way right down into the body. 

Mrs. W'ESTern. Very well. Thank you. 

(Martin goes ; the other servants have already slunk 
off. There is a momenVs silence. Mrs. Western 
suddenly flings the bracelet she has in her hand 
in Miss Farren's direction.) 

Mrs. Western (contempttiotisly). Here. I return 
you your property. And now pack up your things, 
and leave the house. 

Harvey (li'ho has stepped forward and picked up the 
bracelet, standing between Mrs. Western and Miss 
Farren). No. 

Mrs. Western (staring at him). W'hat ? 

Harvey (violently). I say. No ! 

Mrs. Western. I have told the girl to leave my 
house. 

Harvey. My house — mine ! And she shall stay 
in it ! Or, at least, when she goes, it shall be without 
the slightest stain or suspicion 

Mrs. Western (scornfully). I am not accusing 
her of theft. 

Harvey. But you are insinuating— I declare 
solemnly before you all 



16 THE BRACELET. 

Judge (interposing). Harvey, one moment. . . . 
I am sure that Miss Farren would rather go to her 
room . . . 

Miss Farren. Yes. 

Harvey. By all means. Here take your bracelet. 
{He gives it to her). But you don't leave this house 
— you understand that ? / am master here. 

(Miss Farren goes quietly.) 

Judge. Now just listen to me, both of you. Be 
calm — all this excitement won't help. Harvey you 
too. You and Alice will have your explanation 

Mrs. Western. H the girl doesn't go to-night 

Harvey. I tell you again she shall not ! And 
there's no need. I was a fool to give her that bracelet 
— she didn't want to take it 

Mrs. Banket. Why did you ? 

Harvey. I had given Alice one on her birthday. 

Mrs. Western. Well ? 

Harvey. And so I got her one. 

Mrs. Western. Why ? 

Harvey. Because (He stops, very embarrassed.) 

Mrs. Western. Well ? 

Harvey. Because — oh, because — well, she ad- 
mired it — and she liked pretty things too . . . 

Mrs. Western. I don't think you need say any- 
thing more. 

Mrs. Banket. No. He needn't. It's clear 
enough. 

Harvey (eagerly). Look here, on my honour — I 
am fond of her, of course, in a way — but I'm old 
enough to be her father — and I swear to you all — I've 
seen her about, of course, a good deal — and I gave her 
that thing — but beyond that, nothing, nothing ! 

Mrs. Western (sitting, and with a shrug of the 
shoulder) . A ridiculous fairy tale ! 

Judge. My dear Alice, take my advice, and be- 
lieve your husband. 



THE BRACELET. 17 

Mrs. Western. You too ! 

Mrs. Banket. All alike, when there's a pretty 
face ! 

Judge. Let her find another situation, by all 
means. . . . But to turn a girl out, at a moment's 
notice ! You couldn't ! 

Mrs. Western (turning to the Judge). You are 
really suggesting that I should sleep under the same 
roof with 

Judge (almost sternly). You are condemning, 
without the slightest evidence. And condemning, 
remember, an utterly defenceless creature. This girl 
has a claim on you ; were your suspicions justified, 
she would still have a claim. 

Mrs. Western*. Indeed ! 

r^RS. Banket. The nonsense he talks ! It's 
really too silly ! 

Judge. You are extraordinary, you v/omen ! 
You exact such rigid morality from the governess and 
the housemaid ! You're full of excuses when it's one 
of yourselves ! 

Mrs. Banket (indignantly). Tom ! 

Judge. Well, that's true — we all know it ! And 
here — I believe every word Harvey has said. 

Mrs. Western (scarcely believing her ears). You 
do! 

Judge. Because he is a man of honour, and men 
of honour have their code. Their children's gover- 
ness ... is safe. You will do well to believe it, too. 
Now, Fanny, we'll go. Be sensible, Alice — I tell 
you again, Harvey's right ; the girl must not be — 
summarily dismissed : it would be an act of cruel 
injustice. Good-bye. (He offers to kiss her — she 
turns away.) As you like. Good-bye, Harvey, old 
man. 

Harvey. Good-bye, Tom. (They shake hands.) 
And thank you. 

Mrs. Banket (kissing Mrs. Western). My poor, 
dear Alice ! 



18 THE BRACELET. 

Mrs. Western. Good-bye, Fanny. I'm sorry 
that our party to-night 

Mrs. Banket. Oh, that doesn't matter ! Poor 
thing ! I promise you that Tom shall have a good 
talking to ! 

{She is too angry with Harvey to say good-bye to 
him : she and the Judge go. The moment the 
door closes, Harvey begins, feverishly and passion- 
ately.) 

Harvey. Now just listen. I'm going to speak to 
you — I'm going to say things — things that have been 
in my heart, in my life, for years. I'm not going to 
spare you. I'm going to tell you the truth, and the 
truth, and the truth ! 

Mrs. Western (calmly, looking ironically at him). 
If it's the same kind of truth you've been giving us 

to-night 

Harvey. We've been married ten years. Oh, I 
know, we were neither of us very young. But anyhow 
the last five have been nothing but misery for me. 
Misery — do you hear that ? You sitting there, calm 

and collected — not caring one damn for me- 

Mrs. Western (quietly). That's not true. 
Harvey. It is, and you know it. The mother of 
my children ! Satisfied with that. Never a word of 
kindness, or sympathy. And as for — affection ! 

Mrs. Western. U'e're not sweethearts — we're 
middle-aged people. 

Harvey, ^^'ell, I need something more. And, 
look here, I'll tell you. This girl has made Hfe worth 
hving. That's all. I'd come home at night dog- 
tired, all day in the City — sick of it, Stock Exchange, 
office, and the mud and the grime and the worry — 
there were you, with a nod, ah, Harvey, good evening 
— and you'd scarcely look up from your Committee 
Report or your Blue-Book, or damned pamphlet or 

other 

Mrs. Western (contemptuously). You are one of 



THE BUACELET. 10 

the men who want their wife to be a mere sort of doll. 

Harvey (mo?'e and more vehemently). I want my 
wife to care for me ! I want her to smile when I come 
in, and be glad — I want her to love me ! You don't ! 
B}^ tlie Lord, I've sneaked upstairs, gone in and had a 
peep at the children — well, they'd be asleep. I tell 
you I've been hungry, hungry, for a word, for a look ! 
And there, in the schoolroom, was this girl. I've played 
it low down, I know — she's fond of me. But I 
couldn't help it — I was lonely — that's what it was. 
I've gone up there night after night. Yon didn't 
know where I was — and you didn't care. In my 
study, you thought — the cold, chilly box that you call 
m}^ stud}^ — glad to have me out of the way. Well, 
there I was, with this girl. It was something to look 
forward to, in the cab, coming home. It was some- 
thing to catch hold of, when things went wrong, in 
that dreary^ grind of money-making. Her eyes lit up 
when the}^ saw me. She'd ask me about things^if I 
couglied, she'd fuss me — she had pretty ways, and 
was pleased, oh, pleased beyond words, if I brought 
her home something— — ■ 

Mrs. Western. So this isn't the first time ! 

Harvey {with a. snarl). No, of course not ! She 
admired that bracelet of yours — by Jove, I said to 
m5^self, I'll get her one like it ! Whatever I brought 
home to you you'd scarcely say thank you — and 
usuall}/' it went into the drawer — I'd such shocking 
bad taste ! She'd beam ! Well, as ill-luck would have 
it, you took a fancy to this one. I told her she mustn't 
wear hers 

Mrs. Western [calmly and cuttingly). Conspiring 
behind my <back. 

Harvey {raging). Oh, if you knew what has gone 
on behind your back ! Not when I was with her — 
when I was alone ! The things I've said about you — 
to myself ! When I thought of this miserable life 
that had to be dragged on heje, thought of your 
superior smile, your damnable cruelty 



20 THE BRACELET. 

Mrs. Western (gcnmncly surprised). Cruelty! 
Why ? 

Harvey. What else ? I'd go up to you timidly — 
bah, why talk of it ? To you I've been the machine 
that made money — money to pay for the house, and 
the car, and the dressmakers' bills — a machine that 
had to be fed — and when you'd done that, you'd done 
all. Well, there was this girl 

Mrs. Western. You had your children. 

Harvey. A boy of seven and a girl of five — in bed 
when I came homeland your children much more 
than mine — I'm a stranger to them ! And anyhow I 
wanted something more — something human, alive — 
that only a v/oman can give. And she gave it. Noth- 
ing between us, I swear — but just that. As Tom says, 
I've not been such a cur — and you ought to know me 
well enough, after all these years ! . . . But there 
is the truth — she's fond of mie : she is, it's a fact. 
And I needed that fondness — it has kept me going. 
And now— do you think I'll her let be thrust out into 
the street ? 

[As he says these last words he drops into a chair, 
facing her and looks fiercely and doggedly at her.) 

Mrs. Western [calmly). Stop nov»^, and listen to 
me. I've let you rattle on. Will you hear me for one 
moment ? 

Harvey. Go on. 

Mrs. Western. All those things you've said about 
me — (with a skriig) well, what's the use ? I suppose 
we're like most married people when they come to our 
age. I've interests of my own, that don't appeal to 
you- 

Harvey. Blue-books and Committees ! 

Mrs. Western, I do useful work — oh yes, you 
may sneer — you always have sneered ! If a woman 
tries to do something sensible with her hfe, instead of 
cuddling and kissing you all day, she's cold and cruel . 
We've drifted apart — well, your fault as much as mine . 



THE BRACELET. 21 

More, perhaps — but it's no good going into that — no 
good making reproaches. That's how things are — 
we must make the best of them. \\'ait, let me finish. 
About this girl. Granted that what you say is true — 
and I'm inclined to believe it 

Harvey {genuinely grateful). At least thank you 
for that ! 

Mrs. \A'estern. Or at an}^ rate it's better policy to 
believe it, for ever}/ one's sake 

Harvey (bitterly). That's right— that's more like 
you ! 

Mrs. Western. We gain nothing by abusing each 
other. And I didn't interrupt you. Let's look 
facts in the face. Here we are, we two — tied. 

Harvey {unth a groan). Yes. 

Mrs. Western. With our two children. \i it 
weren't for them. . . . Well, we've got to remain 
together. Now there's this girl. It's quite evident, 
after what you've said, that she can't stop here 

Harvey (jumping to his feet). She shall! 

Mrs. Westeri^ (fretfully). Oh, do be a man, and 
drop this mawkish seaitiment ! You say she's fond 
of you — you've made her fond of you. Was this a 
very pretty thing — for a man of your age to do ? 

Haryey (sullejtly, as he drops back into his chair). 
Never mind m}^ age. 

Mrs. Western. Very well then — for a married 
man ? 

Harvey. An unhappy man. 

Mrs. Western. Even granting that — though if 
3^ou're unhappy it's your own fault — I've always been 
urging you to go on the County Council — what's to 
become of the girl, if she stops here ? 

Har\'EY (desperately). I don't know— but I can't 
let her go — I tell you I can't ! 

Mrs. Western (scarcely able to conceal her disgust). 
Oh, if you knew how painful it is to hear you whining 
like this ! It's pitiable, really ! In the girl's own 
interest — how can she stop ? 



22 THE BRACELET. 

Harvey. She must. I can't let her be turned out. 
It would break her heart. 

Mrs. ^^'ESTERN (tiirning right round, and staring 
at him). What ? 

Harvey {doggedly). Yes, it would. She's very 
fond of me, that's the truth. I know that I've been to 
blame — but it's too late for that now. She's romantic, 
of course — what you'd call sentimental. I dare say 
I've played on her feelings — she saw I was lonely. 
She has a side that you've never suspected — a tender 
sensitive side — she has ideals. . . . Well, do you 
reahze what it would mean, with a girl like that ? 
No one knows her as I do. I'm quite startled, some- 
times, to find how fond she is of me. Oh, have some 
sympathy ! It's difficult, I know — it's terribly diffi- 
cult. But she loves me — that's the truth — and a 
young girl's love — why, she might throw herself into 
the river ! Oh yes, you smile — but she might ! What 
do you know of life, with your blue-books ? Anyhow, 
I daren't risk it. By-and-by — there's no hurry, is 
there ? And I put it to you — ^he merciful ! You're 
not an ordinary woman— you have a brain — you're 
not conventional. Don't act like the others. Don't 
drive this girl out of the house. It would end in 
tragedy. Believe it I 

ilRS. Western. You can't really expect me to keep 
a girl here, as governess to my children, who, as you 
say, is in love with you. 

Harvey {pleading) i expect 3^ou— I '^^^ asking you 
—to help her— and me. 

Mrs. Western (shaking her head)- That's too 
much. W^e won't turn her out to-nighf— I'H S^^e her 
a reference, an^ ^11 that 

Harvey (s^r,;,,^^-^^ ^^ j^-^ f^^^ ^^^ain). Alice, I can't 
let her go ! 

Mrs. Western iconciliatorily) . Ask Tom, ask 
any one 

Harvey (^^^re and more passionately). I ^ell you, 
I can't let her go ! 



THE BRACELET. 23 

Mrs. Western. Be sensible, Harvey — you must 
realize yourself there's no alternative 

Harvey {with a violent and uncontrollable outburst). 
I vow and declare to you — if she goes, I go too ! And 
the consequences will be on your head ! 

(Mrs. Western has also risen — they stand face to 
face, looking at each other — and for a moment there 
is silence. The door opens, and Miss Farren comes 
in, dressed as before. She walks straight to Mrs. 
Western.) 

Miss Farren. Mrs. W^estern, my things are packed 
and on the cab 

Harvey {wildly). My poor child, you're not to go 
— I told you ! 

Miss Farren {with a demure glance at him, stopping 
him as he is moving towards her). Of course I must — 
I can't stay here — that's not possible. My sister will 
take me in for to-night. 

Mrs. Western. Miss Farren, my husband has ex- 
plained to me — I withdraw all 

Miss Farren {carelessly). Oh, that's all right — 
though thank you all the same. And it really doesn't 
matter much. I was going to give notice to-morrow 
anyway 

Harvey {starting violently). V^hat ! 

Miss Farren. Well, I put it off as long as I could, 
Mr. Western, because . . . But the fact is I'm going 
on the stage — musical comedy 

Harvey {breathless, staggering back). You — are — 
going 

Miss Farren. I've accepted an engagement — oh, 
I'm only to be a show-girl at first — but they believe 
I'll do well. They've been wantmg me some time. 
And my fiance has persuaded me. 

Harvey {collapsing utterly, dropping into the chair 
by the fire). Your 

Miss Farren {gravely). My fiancee — yes. He's 
one of the comic men there. 



24 THE BRACELET. 

Mrs. Western (who has been watching them both 
with an unmoved face). I'll write a cheque for your 
salary, Miss Farren. (She goes to the desk at back.) 

Miss Farren (coquettishly , to Harvey). I ought to 
have told you, I know, BIr. Western. But it was so 
dull here— and you've been most awfully good to me. 
I can never be sufficiently grateful. 

Harvey {with difficulty, his face turned away). 
Don't mention it. And I hope you'll be happy. 

Miss Farren (lightly). Thank you. I mean to 
try ! 

(Mrs. Western returns, with a cheque, which she 
hands to Miss Farren.) 

Mrs. Western. Here, Miss Farren. 

Miss Farren (putting it into her bag) . Thank you 
so much. Good-bye. 

Mrs. Western. If you should ever need a refer- 
ence, don't be afraid to 

Miss Farren. Oh, thanks, no more governessmg 
for me. Good-bye ! 

(She trips out, without another glance at Harvey, who 
sits huddled by the fire. Mrs. Western moves 
slowly to the door . At the threshold she pauses, tiirns, 
and looks at Harvey.) 

Mrs. Western. I'll take care that the next gover- 
ness — shall be quite as pretty as this one, Harvey. 

(She opens the door, and goes. Harvey doesn't 
stir. The curtain falls. 



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Dr. Wake's Patient 
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Importance of Being Earnest 
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Royal Family 

Second in Comnciand 

Sir Anthony 

Snug Little Kingdom 

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Strange Adventures of I\Ii3s 

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When We were Twenty-One 

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MAR 29 1912 



FRENCH'S ACTING EDITION—Ts. per Vol., mostly 6d. each. 



VOLUME 150 
2286 The Dentist 

2237 Taken for Granted 

2238 Just as Well 

2239 Hogmany 

2240 Pansy [ments 

2241 A Doctor's Engage- 

2242 A Duet 

2243 My Milliner's Bill, 1». 

2244 My Aunt from Cali- 

fornia 

2245 His Life for Hers 

2246 The Meeting 

2247 The UmbreUa 

Duologue 

2248 The Late Lamented 

2249 Woman Triumphant 

2250 Angelina'?' Lover 

VOLUME 151 

2251 Chrysanthemums 

2252 My First Client 
2263 Punctured 
l254 Old Pals 

8265 Honeymoon Tragedy 
2256 Commission [man 

2267 Hal, the Highway- 

2258 Dinner for Two 

2259 Ninth Waltz 

2260 Human Sport 

2261 Collaborators 

2262 Mere Man 

2263 Packing Up 

2264 Paying Guest 

2265 'Enery Brown 

VOLUME 152 

2268 The Jilt 

2267 'Op-o'-Me-Thumb 

2268 A Marriage Has Been 

Arranged 

2269 Carrots [Sturge 

2270 Conversion of Nat 

2271 Clerical Error 

2272 Aubrey Closes the 

2273 Workbox IFoor 

2274 Two on a 'Bus 

2275 Bridget's Blunders 

2276 That Brute Simmons 

2277 WeU Matched 

2278 Maker of Men 

2279 Gutter of Time 

2280 Game of Chess 

VOLUME 153 

2281 Mr. Steinmann's 

Corner 

2282 Ella's Apology 

2283 Colour Sergeant 

2284 Helpless Couple 

2285 First Aid to the 

Wounded 

2286 Correct Thing 

2287 Their New Paying 

Guest [ment 

2288 Domestic Entangle- 

2289 Salt of Life 

2290 Time is Money 

2291 Wally and the 

Widow [Smith! 

2292 Deceitful Miss 

2293 Holly Tree Inn 
1294 Up-to-date 

2295 Bit of Old Chelsea 



2296 

22r 
22 

22! 

23( 
23( 

23C 

230 

230* 
2305 
2306 

2307 
2308 

2309 

2310 

2311 
2312 

2313 
2314 
2315 
2316 
2317 

2318 
2319 
2320 
2321 
2322 
2323 
2324 
2325 



2326 
2327 

2328 

2329 
2330 
2331 
2332 
2333 
2334 
2335 
2336 

2337 
2338 

2339 
2340 

2341 

2342 

2343 
2344 

2345 
2346 
2347 



VOLUME 154 
Wrong Side of the 
Road ^'^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



2348 Admiral Peters 

2349 Henrietta 
^^ite, 1*. 

lat, V». 




Kvl- 



014 722 809 | 

^Iimmio 

2360 A Tight Corner 

2361 Dear Departed 

2362 Pipers Pay 

2363 Her Vote 

2364 The Electric Man 

2365 At the Golden Goo«« 

2366 Her Dearest Friend 

2367 Love in a Eailway 
Train 

2368 Make Believe 

2369 Pick of Oakham 

2370 Highwayman 

VOLUME 159 

2371 What Would a Gen- 
tleman Do ? 

2372 An Excellent Receipt 

2373 Parents' Progress 

2374 Younger Generation, 
1*. 

2375 Three Blind Mlc* 
(Law) 

2376 Laughter in Court 

2377 Pot Luck 

2378 Independent Meani, 
1*. 

2379 Duchess of Doherty 
Court 

2380 WUes of the Widow 

2381 The Mobswoman 

2382 An Imaginary Aunt 

2383 Lady Flora's Name- 
sake 

2384 What Charity Covew 

2385 Patty Packs a Bag 

VOLUME 160 

2386 The Oak Settle 

2387 Scaring Off of Teddy 
Dawson 

2388 The First Locust 

2389 The Cigarette 
Maker's Romance, 
1». 

2390 Company for George 

2391 Granny's Juliet. 

2392 Hero and Heroine. 

2393 Jack and Jill and 
a Friend 

2394 The Touch of Truth. 

2395 My Mutual Agree 
ment. 

2396 Dick's Sister. 

2397 A Storm in a Te*- 
Shop. 

2398 TheManintheStaUa 

2399 My Wile 

2400 A Plume of FeathMS 



Fabricato 

Compromising 
Martha 

Rest Cure 

Misses Primrose's 
Deception 

Ejection of Aunt 
Lucinda 

Uncle Dick's Darling 

VOLUME 155 

That Horrid Major 

Bardwell v. Pick- 
wick [gales 

House of Nightin- 

Turtle Doves [der 

Superior Miss Pellen- 

His Good Genius 

Martha Plays the 
Fairy 

Dumb Cake 

Proposing by Proxy 

Phoenix 

B(;t.tavvain's Mate 

Final Rehearsal 

Two Aunts at a Time 

Nelson Touch 

Convict on the 
Hearth 

VOLUME 156 

Grey Parrot 

Ghost of Jerry 
Bundler 

Bishop's Candle- 
sticks 

Peacemaker 

Changeling 

Wire Entanglement 

Pride of Regiment 

"1588" 

Man on the Kerb 

O'Dowd 

Impertinence of the 
Creature 

Dramatist at Home 

Martha the Sooth- 
saver. 

Old Martha, 1». [1». 

All Through Martha 

VOLUME 157 

Men who Loved 
Mamie 

Fanny and the Ser- 
vant Problem 

Come Michaelmas 

Teeth of the Gift 
Horsa 

French as he is spoke 

Mdringues 

Mother of Three 



